1st Meeting at CCT on 9/21

SMART Growth Grantees,

CCT has assembled an extraordinary panel of five Executive Directors from organizations representing each of the 5 phases of development. The panelists will address each of the 6 key management areas and how the role of the Executive Director changes over time as the organization evolves. There will be time for questions.

Panelists
Phase 1 – Kendra Jorstad, Founder of JorsTAP Chicago (dance)

Phase 2 - Marcus Burks, Founder/Executive Director of Urban Aspirations (music/youth)

Phase 3 – Malik Gillani, Executive Director of Silk Road Rising (theatre) and SMART Growth “graduate”

Phase 4 – Jim Hirsch, Executive Director of the Chicago Sinfonietta (music)

Phase 5 – Gary Johnson, Executive Director of the Chicago History Museum

When:

Friday, Sept. 21, 2012

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m

Chicago Community Trust Board Room (225 N. Michigan Ave. – 22 floor)

This session is highly recommended for Executive Directors.  Due to space limitations, we must limit the attendance to 2-3 people per SMART Growth group.  Our building security requires that everyone sends their RSVP to Vanessa Johnson ( 312-616-8000 ext. 174, vjohnson@cct.org) so that you will be on the security list in the lobby.  Please bring photo ID.

Reminder: Year 2 Grant Proposal Due Soon!

Dear SMART Growth Grantees,

A quick reminder that your Year 2 grant  proposals are due to CCT on September 5, 2012.

http://www.cct.org/apply/grants-calendar

Let us know if you have any questions. 

FREE Webinar: Intro to Silent Auctions: Raise More Funds with 5 Simple Changes

Thursday, September 13, 2012
2:00pm - 2:45pm
Register here. 

Description
In this free 45-minute nonprofit training webinar, you'll get practical "how to" advice so you can transform your auction items into loads of money. Learn why a silent auction can't be silent, how to entice bidder wit disposable income, use of psychology to pull in bids among many more. Presented by the award-winning auctioneer and mentor to thousands of Auction Chairs, Sherry Truhlar.

Click here for more information and to register.

Donors and Digital Media: Lessons from the DonorGraphics Study

What does a donor-ideal communication strategy look like across demographics? Is there a correlation between preferred channel and actual donation behaviors? 

DonorGraphics is a national media usage study that measures communication preferences and behaviors of donors. The study highlights differences between the general U.S.A population and the active donor population to identify opportunities to effectively reach donors online. This digital landscape review is important to anyone curious about the shift to mobile communications (email, mobile, social media) and its relation to donations.

When: Thursday, September 20, 2012

Time: 1:00pm Central Time (11:00am Pacific Time) 

Price: $70 non-members/FREE to members

Click here to register. 

Participants will

• Understand the differences in digital communication use across demographics
• Understand the most useful communications channels for your donor base
• Learn how donors prefer to be communicated with by nonprofits

About the Presenter:

Lori Connolly is Vice President of Research and Analytics at Gizzard Communications Group. Lori have over 17 years of research and analytics experience in multichannel marketing and optimization through quantitative techniques as well as donor insights. Click here to learn more about the presenter. 

7 Steps to Enlist and Build Your Dream Team Board

Monday, August 27, 2012. 3:00-4:30pm (Eastern Time)
Price: $77.00
Register

Webinar Description:

How' your board doing? How much could you accomplish if you had the right people around the table? During this live nonprofit training webinar we'll show you step-by-step how to enlist and build your dream team board.

Consultant, Gail Perry CFRE, will guide you through a step-by-step process to determine what kind of board members you need and give you the right kind of process for recruiting them. Use these ideas and the step-by-step instruction to help your Nominating Committee get organized, productive and guide them to enlist the best possible leaders join your board member. Click here for more details. 

Bonus! You'll also get a 24 page Dream Team Board Workbook.

Sound Fiscal Practices: Budgeting & Planning

Are you looking to strengthen your organization's financial position or simply identify and implement best practices? Join the Arts and Business Council at an informative workshop to discuss topics such as strategic fundraising, building reserves, capital campaigns, the role of the board in it all and many more.

Detail:
Tuesday, September 11, 2012. 5:30-8:00pm
Columbia College Chicago
623 S Wabash, Hokin Hall, Rm 109

Presenters:
Megan Angle, Accountant, Porte Brown
Tim Dunning, Representative, The Private Bank

Price:
$45 (NPO budget < 250K) / $65 (For-profit/NPO budget > 250K)

Click to Register.

Join A&BC at Summer Bash!

Start your Labor Day weekend with the Arts and Business Council family at Summer Bash! No program, no agenda - simply a chance to hang out and party with our volunteers, clients, board and staff.

When: Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 5:30-7:30pm

Where: Bull & Bear (431 North Wells St at Hubbard St)

Price: $30 per person (includes good company, unlimited wine and beer, appetizers and a change to win a prize) or $40 at the door.

Click here to Register.